The Provincial Tourism Promotion and Development Office urged Palaweños to plant fruit trees and vegetable as “Agriculture in support of Tourism” strategy, in a bid to support tourism-related businesses affected by economic slowdown due to coronavirus disease COVID-19.
In a press release, Provincial Tourism Officer Maribel C. Buñi, said that planting fruit trees and vegetable as source of food supply will support the tourism sector to bounce back, since raw products for food will only be sourced locally.
“Magandang strategy yon ano, kasi parang agriculture in support of tourism. So, maganda yong magiging epekto nun, parang dagdag kabuhayan sa ating mga kababayan and self- sufficient na, hindi na po kailangan mag-angkat pa kung saan-saan” Buñi said.
She explained that this “Agriculture in support of Tourism” strategy will also make Palawan food self-sufficient, instead of sourcing agricultural products from outside the province. Increasing local food supply will make our locality less dependent to products from other places.
“Ang pagtatanim ng mga gulay at prutas ng mga Palaweño ay inaasahang mayroong magandang epekto dahil pupwede itong maging parte ng muling pagbubukas ng turismo sa lalawigan dahil maaaring dito na lamang sa Palawan manggaling ang suplay ng pagkain para sa mga turista,” the press release of the Provincial Government said.
Prior to the community quarantine due to national health emergency, the Municipal Agriculture’s Office of El Nido through Municipal Agriculturist Virginia Balderas said that there are estimated 19 tons of vegetable per month supplied to El Nido from Metro Manila and Luzon provinces because of the increasing demands. These are mainly supplied to hotels, resorts, restaurants and the tourism sector. The local farmers tried to supply at least one ton weekly or four tons monthly, with the existence of a supply agreement with local farmers and Ayala Corporation.
El Nido is among the predominantly tourism town in northern part of Palawan, being the gateway to the awe-inspiring Bacuit Archipelago which houses 45 islands and islets, with steep karst cliffs, each with its unique geological formations. The town is also known for white-sand beaches, coral reefs, dive sites, and underwater cavern.
Vicente Binasahan Jr., Agricultural Production Coordinating Officer (APCO) for Palawan North of the Department of Agriculture (DA) said that there are specific Personnel from their office who are assigned to help assist farmers who are contracted to supply vegetable to tourism establishments in El Nido. He explained that the DA provided them the needed interventions since these farmers have quotas to meet to supply vegetables to these hotels, restaurants and other tourism-related establishments.